New...Please see the above article index for 2 new day tour destinations departing from the Ronda area..

A unique and diverse habitat

Whether you enjoy spectacular scenery or fauna and flora, then this personally guided birdwatching tour of the Serranía de Ronda and Sierra de Grazalema is for you! With mountains and hills predominately of limestone, the bio-diversity of the Serranía and Sierras is stunning. From rocky outcrops, mountaintop and valleys, the birding tour will take you through some of the most breathtaking scenery in Spain. Birds of interest are virtually guaranteed, though of course time of year and the weather, will dictate the number and type of bird species you will see. Accompanied by your own expert tour guide, you will waste no time searching for those elusive ‘best bird areas’. Your birding guide will be able to assist beginners and discuss the area with visiting experienced birders. So whatever your level of expertise, there will be much to reward your birding trip.

Author of Walking in Andalucia, Guy Hunter Watts, recently wrote: Peter Jones is a nature guide based close to Ronda, who leads groups and individuals throughout the province. He also leads guided birding tours to other parts of Spain, Morocco and many other destinations (Costa Rica, Ecuador, India, Kenya, Gambia e.o.) worldwide. The author can not speak too highly of Peter’s birding excursions. A natural communicator, Peter has that rare ability of conveying specialist knowledge in a way that’s accessible to one and all. A day in his company offers a unique insight into the extraordinarily diverse birdlife of southern Spain and would dovetail perfectly with your walks in and around Ronda and Grazalema.

The independant traveller's guide

What people have said about this tour:

We enjoyed our holiday in Andalucia very much, but the first day with you was the most impressive. For sure we will make a bird tour with you again.Ger en Mieke

Thank you for the most wonderful day with you. We so enjoyed it and speak about it frequently, such lovely memories, but especially your great company. Calum

We've received emails from all our Frontier clients about the tour. They all agree on one thing, it was a privilege having you as their guide!Frontier Holidays

Thank you for guiding us on our recent trip, it really was memorable and your gift of imparting your love of birds and nature is truly something to experience. Bill and Doreen

The above is a sample selection from over 200 recommendations

Price details Day - Tour:

Tour dates:

Every day, 7 days a week, all year round subject to availability

Tour times:

From 10.00 am to 16.00 pm. Longer hours by arrangement.

Price 2015/16:

Standard Day Tour: 185 euro minimum charge for up to 3 persons, 45 Euro per each extra person (maximum 4 persons)Private tours: Exclusive private tours minimum price of 195 Euro per day by arrangement (price based on up to 3 persons).

Includes:

Free collection from your accommodation in the Ronda area (15km radius), transport, use of telescope

Excluded:

Costs for lunch and drinks. Meal time stop over at a "local" Restaurant.

Peter has been an active member of the national organisation for ornithology in Spain (SEO/Birdlife) since 2003. He is co-founder of the local SEO group for the Serranía de Ronda and is also a licensed bird ringer/bander, classified as ‘Experto’ the foremost classification for ringers/banders in Spain. A Naturalist, Birder, Nature Guide, Tour Leader, Author, Artist and Field Researcher. Peter is a senior tour leader and guide for several destinations and companies throughout the world. Peter is the founder and now the President of the Andalucia Bird Society and also involved in various steering committees developing sustainable tourism here and in other countries. Founder of the Iberia Bird Festival. Peter is also a founding member and associate of Andalucia Wildlife Guides. Involved in animal studies and research projects in Spain and overseas. Currently developing natural history education projects for schools in Morocco and Spain. Current projects also include coordinating efforts to engage schools in Spain and Morocco to participate in the Osprey Migration Foundation project to link both children and communities through satellite tracking of migrating Osprey.

Working together with Peter is Cristina Buendía

Name: Cristina Buendía

Based: Ronda - Málaga Province

Areas covered: Serranía de Ronda and Sierra de Grazalema.

Bio: She has worked as a sustainability environmental resources technician since finishing her degree as a biologist and has always combined her work together with volunteering for SeoBirdlife in Málaga, Extremadura, and raptor migration in the Strait of Gibraltar (Fundación Migres) for around 5 years. Nowadays Cristina works as a science teacher and combines this with guiding tours for studying the natural heritage in her area by mixing hiking with birdwatching.

Catch-up on the news here and with our tours on Peter's Blog. Trip reports, articles, personal stories and lots of photographs, always worth a read and interesting updates for all our many friends here at Spanish Nature!

01/30

Serrania de Ronda - 1st in Europe for Raptors?

The geographical location of the Serranía and Sierras makes it one of Europe's best areas for the concentration of raptors. The Serranía and Sierras have four breeding species of eagle and many other raptors.

The importance of the area is recognized for the habitat it provides for so many breeding bird species. Apart from this, the area is also an important staging area in spring and autumn for spectacular numbers of migrant birds of prey. Indeed, being placed so near to the famous ‘Straits of Gibraltar’ the area is rich in passerine bird species migrating to other parts in spring and autumn.

Even in winter, the area provides a temperate living quarter for many familiar summer birds of northern Europe. Whatever the time of year, the Serranía de Ronda and the Sierra de Grazalema is a must for any interested in birds and wildlife in general. Routes taken vary according to the weather, but in any event, the number of bird species seen will be considerable!

Click on next to go to - From Mountains to Lagoons...

From mountains to lagoons……

A typical day for visiting the Lagunas de Campillos and Fuente de Piedra begins with our journey from our base near to Ronda. The contrast in scenery and wildlife is very spectacular, travelling over mountains and eventually arriving to the rolling hills and flat basin that surrounds Fuente de Piedra. The lake is huge, measuring some 6 kilometres long and 3 kilometres wide, it is considered one of the largest natural lagoons in Spain. Due to the salinity of the water here, Greater Flamingo choose to breed in massive numbers, at their peak numbers can exceed 30,000 and so making this the largest breeding colony in Europe. There are other lagoons in the area and depending on water levels, these can hold such sought after species as White-headed Duck and Marbled Teal, as well as the beautiful Red-crested Pochard.

Migrating birds are also a feature here and virtually anything can turn-up, including large concentrations of raptors and also wading birds. The area in summer is very good for some specialist steppe birds including Montagu’s Harrier, Calandra and Short-toed Lark, Little Bustard and the elusive Roller. Along with the ever present Greater Flamingo, Black-necked Grebe is common and occasionally Red-knobbed Coot is seen. Gull-billed Tern are common breeding birds and Whiskered Tern are also in the area, with Black Tern common migrants. Rarities include Lesser Flamingo and White-winged Black Tern, although the list is endless as the area annually attracts so many rarities!

So for a change of route and an entirely different experience, why not accompany Peter to this most rewarding and spectacular area?

Journey time from Ronda to Fuente de Piedra is approximately 45 minutes, so allow time for an earluer collection from your accommodation. Of course our journey might take longer should we see anything of particular interest along our route, such as Bonelli's Eagle!

Price details Day – Tour: Lagunas de Campillos and Fuente de Piedra

Tour dates:

Every day, 7 days a week, all year round subject to availability

Tour times:From 09.30 am to 16.00 pm. Longer hours by arrangement.

Price 2015/16:Standard Day Tour: 185 Euro minimum charge for up to 3 persons, 45 Euro per each extra person (maximum 4 persons)Private tours: Exclusive private tours minimum price of 195 Euro per day by arrangement (price based on up to 3 persons).Important note: In addition to the above a fuel surcharge applies to this route of 25 Euro total

Includes:Free collection from your accommodation in the Ronda area (15km radius), transport, use of telescope

Excluded:Costs for lunch and drinks. Meal time stop over at a "local" Restaurant.

Keep up to date on our activities here in Spain. To catch-up on the news here and with our tours take a look at Peter's Blog. Peter gives his personal account on our activities as well as writing some insights to both the area and himself. Trip reports, articles, personal stories and lots of photographs, always worth a read and lots of interesting updates for all our many friends here at Spanish Nature!

For some very unusual and much sought after species, this day tour can produce excellent chances for such species as Great Bustard and in the summer, Roller. It is a route that has been researched to give rewards to the birder at any time of year. We need to allow 1 hour for reaching the site from our base in the Ronda area, so an earlier start is recommended (see tour details below). Specialist birds for a route that, broadly speaking, covers a triangle between Osuna, Marchena and La Lantejuela, are Great and Little Bustard, Lesser Kestrel, Montagu’s Harrier, Roller and Black-winged Kite.

Typical of steppe habitat, good and distant viewing is a feature of the day tour, with the added bonus of several lagoons being on our route. In the spring and summer some species, such as Collared Pratincole, take advantage of the areas surrounding wetlands. Marsh Harrier is ever present and Red Kite winter in good numbers with Hen Harrier often seen quartering open expanses during the colder winter months. Whiskered and Black Tern join Greater Flamingo to take advantage of lagoons, when there have been sufficient winter rains, to breed and White-headed Duck can also join the masses at any time throughout the year.

Peter has an extensive knowledge of this prime birding area and can take the visitor to many special sites including very large colonies of Lesser Kestrel, concentrations of Roller and display areas for Great Bustard. It is a total contrast to the mountains of Ronda and will add many species to your vacation bird list.

Price details Day – Tour: Osuna, Marchena and La Lantejuela

Tour dates:Every day, 7 days a week, all year round subject to availabilty

Tour times:From 09.00 am to 16.00 pm. Longer hours by arrangement.

Price 2015/16:Standard Day Tour: 185 Euro minimum charge for up to 3 persons, 45 Euro per each extra person (maximum 4 persons)Private tours: Exclusive private tours minimum price of 195 Euro per day by arrangement (price based on up to 3 persons).Important note: In addition to the above a fuel surcharge applies to this route of 30 Euro total

Includes:Free collection from your accommodation in the Ronda area (15km radius), transport, use of telescope

Excluded:Costs for lunch and drinks. Meal time stop over at a "local" Restaurant.

Private and exclusive tours by special arrangement only (see prices above)

Keep up to date on our activities here in Spain. To catch-up on the news here and with our tours take a look at Peter's Blog. Peter gives his personal account on our activities as well as writing some insights to both the area and himself. Trip reports, articles, personal stories and lots of photographs, always worth a read and lots of interesting updates for all our many friends here at Spanish Nature!

Near Ronda, a delightful high specification self-catering riverside farmstead. Excellent base for birdwatchers, nature lovers and walkers. One recent guest logged 48 different bird species from the comfort of our terrace which included honey buzzards, golden oioles, griffin vultures and much more besides.

Contact: Julia or Nick on: +34 610 609 340

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Casa de la JustaA newly reformed village house in the Lecrin Valley Granada, offering stylisyh and comfortable B&B accomodation with 4 guest bedrooms, terraces, courtyard and pool. The beautiful Lecrin Valley is a perfect location for lovers of nature with wonderful walks from our front door. We are also close to the Sierra Nevada and Aplujarra. We also offer evening meals - using quality local ingredients and can arrange airport pick up for those travelling without a car. Contact:+ 34 958793155 or + 34 664762295 Website: www.lecrinvalleycasa.net

Casa Samuel

Montejaque. A poolside village house with wonderful views in Montejaque, near Ronda, a superb and stunning location. Located within the small community, sleeps up to 4 (two bedrooms),terrace and balcony. For all year round bookings. Short breaks available (minimum 3 nights). One of the few properties in this wonderful village with vehicle parking outside it´s own front door!

Contact:Mrs S. Thomas, Tel: + 44 1446 781363 Fax: + 44 1446 781239

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Casa de LimonMontejaque- A modern, well equipped 2 bedroom Andalucian holiday house with air-conditioning in a small private community with shared swimming pool. The house is in a quiet location but only 100 m to the shops and café bars in this charming rustic white village of Montejaque in the Sierra de Grazalema National Park near Ronda . Website: www.casadelimon.co.uk

Montejaque MagicLas Mariposas (3 bedrooms) and Santa Cruz(2) in Natural ParkTwo well equipped cottages in Montejaque near Ronda.Ideally situated for bird watching,walking etc.Centre of village with all amenities.Website: www.montejaquemagic.com

Casa Santa Maria

Charming village house to rent in Montejaque; a typical Spanish ‘white village’.Casa ‘Santa Maria’ comfortably accommodates up to 4 people but for a couple there is a reduced rate.Website: www.bradlane.co.uk

Accommodation in the area - Holiday rentals

SunSeekers

Locate your perfect villa holiday rental from the comfort of your own home!!

The specialist in holiday accommodation in Andalucia. Real Ronda offers a range of holiday houses, cortijos, cottages and villas to rent in Andalucia. Nearly all the properties have swimming pools and many have fabulous views whilst some are also available throughout the winter.

For more information: 01275 464225

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Do you consider a friendly atmosphere, comfort and relaxation, as well as value for money, an essential part of any well earned holiday? If you do, then all our birding and nature tours have been specifically designed to suit you!

If you require further information please Contact Us or telephone: +34 636 291 714Spanish Nature, not only for bird watching holidays in Spain, but also worldwide including Morocco, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Galapagos, India , Brazil, China, Thailand, Kenya, The Gambia and Botswana